Watson Coleman: “I am proud to mark this extraordinary day by coming to the floor of the Senate to celebrate the imminent passage of a…”

“I am proud to mark this extraordinary day by coming to the floor of the Senate to celebrate the imminent passage of a prescription drug benefit for Medicare. This is a triumph not for a party or a President, but for America's seniors and their families. This is an incredibly hopeful day for all Americans who long for a national government that can get things done for people. Thirty-eight years ago Congress voted to create a health care program that would be the primary source of health insurance for this Nation's seniors. Most people would agree that this program has served us well for almost four decades. However, the practice of medicine has changed. Drug therapies, medical devices, and human genome research all hold great hope for breaking through physical limitations that hinder many seniors' ability to enjoy the later years of life. The question we now ask is what level of care are we going to provide our seniors and is the current system equipped to provide the type of care our seniors need and deserve.”